San Jose Sharks’ Kevin Labanc, bottom, scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Michael DiPietro during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday February 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Martin Jones put up 25 saves for the Sharks and Mike DiPietro stopped 17-of-24 shots for the Canucks in his NHL debut.

The 19-year-old native of Amherstburg, Ont., was called up from the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s on an emergency basis last week after Canucks backup Thatcher Demko was sidelined with a knee sprain.

“A dream come true getting the start. You never want to let in the first shot, but I felt better as the game went on. There are lessons I’ll take from this and work on to end this season and throughout the summer.” – DiPietro

Jacob Markstrom, the team’s starting netminder, was slated to start on Monday but was scratched as a precaution due to tightness in his lower body.

DiPietro struggled early, letting in the first shot of the game after Canucks defenceman Erik Gudbranson failed to corral the puck behind the net.

Logan Couture collected the rubber and dished it to Meier, who fired it in past the young Vancouver goalie 1:04 into the first period.

The Sharks added another marker just minutes later, thanks to a high shot from Kane. Vancouver defenceman Ben Hutton attempted to punch the puck out of the air in front of the net, but instead sent it in off of DiPietro.

When Karlsson added San Jose’s third goal 8:48 into the opening frame, the Canucks had yet to register a single shot.

Despite an atrocious start, Vancouver seemed to find their way late in the first, hemming the Sharks in their own end.

With just seconds left on the clock, star rookie Elias Pettersson waited patiently for his opportunity to slice a pass to Horvat down low. The centre hammered a snapshot past Jones to put the Canucks on the board.

Vancouver out shot San Jose 13-5 in the second period, but the Sharks continued to bury the Canucks, adding goals from Kane, Hertl and Lebanc.